Pinterest launched the Creator Code in early 2021, an idea that was in the pipeline for months beforehand. In short, the code aims to upkeep the platform’s reputation as a beacon of hope amongst rough waters.
So, what is the Creator Code? Will it help Pinterest remain “the last positive corner of the internet?” This article will answer both of these questions.
Pinterest Launches the Creator Code
Pinterest announced the Creator Code’s launch in April 2021. Rather than treating positivity as a nice-to-have, the code is mandatory for all users.
Besides the code itself, Pinterest also revealed that users would have more power to moderate content. Creators can filter out certain keywords while also removing comments if they wish to.
At the same time, a Creator Fund was announced too. Pinterest plans to use this fund for providing creators in underrepresented communities support, both in the financial and educational sense.
What’s in the Creator Code?
Pinterest said that the idea for a Creator Code came about in 2020. The platform’s employees were concerned with the harmful nature of online media during a year marked by COVID-19, social unrest, and more.
The platform was especially worried about what it refers to as “call-out culture” and misinformation circulating online. Since the company didn’t want its platform to head in the same direction, it decided to take action.
The Creator Code states that all Pinterest users must adhere to the following rules:
Be kind and don’t post content for the sake of insulting or upsetting others. Fact-check content to help reduce the spread of misinformation. Practice inclusion by never deliberately excluding different groups and/or communities. Make sure that all calls-to-action and challenges are safe to ensure no harm is caused.
Pinterest Co-Founder and Chief Design and Creative Officer Evan Sharp explained the Creator Code in a post on the Pinterest Newsroom, saying:
How the Creator Code Could Help Pinterest Stay Positive
First and foremost, the Creator Code promotes togetherness from the get-go. As such, it stands a much better chance at eliminating the division and hate seen on other social platforms.
Beyond kindness, the Creator Code promotes a culture of responsibility. The platform encourages users to take things into their own hands by looking out for each other, offering actionable advice. Through this, a more community-focused platform will arise.
Another critical factor is that the Code is not only mandatory but enforced. Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have all been criticized for not getting tougher on harmful and offensive content.
Since users know they’re less prone to trolls on Pinterest than some of the other big platforms, more might be encouraged to use the platform.
The Creator Code also promotes inclusivity. In the article announcing the Creator Code, Pinterest mentioned its commitment to ensuring that 50 percent of the creators it works with come from underrepresented groups.
Again, Twitter and Facebook, in particular, are still battling with online hate. Racist, sexist, and other hateful remarks are made daily. With Pinterest’s explicit promotion of inclusivity, creators are likely to feel more inspired to share their most authentic work.
Could the Creator Code Cause Challenges?
Consuming too much positivity online can also cause problems. Like with other social media, setting boundaries on Pinterest is essential. If users spend too much time each day mindlessly browsing, inspiration can turn into inaction.
People might also look at how the Creator Code could limit Pinterest’s growth. The platform has 442 million monthly active users according to Hootsuite, which is small compared to Facebook (2.74 billion) and Instagram (1.22 billion).
With the Creator Code, Pinterest will limit its reach in terms of pure numbers. At the same time, though, it will attract a friendlier audience—which is worth the trade-off. Plus, the platform already has more monthly users than Twitter (353 million).
A Refreshing Approach to Tackling Online Negativity
Pinterest’s Creator Code is a welcome change to running a social media platform. The platform is prioritizing users’ mental wellbeing while also inspiring creativity and encouraging responsibility.
Pinterest may never reach Facebook and Instagram’s heights by shutting itself off to users who don’t want to comply. Then again, plenty of businesses smaller than Facebook still thrive. So, at least Pinterest is sticking to its values.
And hopefully, other social media platforms choose a similar route where user wellbeing is more important than money and overall numbers.
